Powered adjustable trimmer construction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery assemblies such as a burster, deleaver or the like. The apparatus includes a driving device for driving stationery through the apparatus along a predetermined path of stationery travel and a pair of trimming devices for trimming the longitudinal edges of the stationery. The trimming devices are mounted for independent movement and each includes an independently operable motor for moving the same relative to the sides of the path of stationery travel for adjustment purposes. Each trimming device also includes a tractor assembly and a manually operable adjustment is provided whereby the distance between the cutting knives and one of the trimming devices and the tractor assembly may be varied. Also included is a mounting for one of the knives in each trimming device whereby, when trimming is not required, one knife is moved radially and axially away from the other knife.

United States Patent [191 Jennings et al.

1 Oct. 14, 1975 POWERED ADJUSTABLE TRIMIVIER CONSTRUCTION [73] Assignee: UARCO Incorporated, Barrington,

Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 426,452

[52] US. Cl. 83/425.2; 83/423; 83/503; 83/477.1; 83/499; 83/433 [51] Int. Cl. B26D 7/06 [58] Field of Search 83/423, 425.2, 425.4, 477.1, 83/503, 433, 501, 502, 504, 499

7/1964 Australia 83/477.1

Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney, Agent, or FirmWegner, Stellman, McCord, Wiles & Wood ABSTRACT An apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery assemblies such as a burster, deleaver or the like. The apparatus includes a driving device for driving stationery through the apparatus along a predetermined path of stationery travel and a pair of trimming devices for trimming the longitudinal edges of the stationery. The trimming devices are mounted for independent movement and each includes an independently operable motor for moving the same relative to the sides of the path of stationery travel for adjustment purposes. Each trimming device also includes a tractor assembly and a manually operable adjustment is provided whereby the distance between the cutting knivesand one of the trimming'devices and the tractor assembly may be varied. Also included is a mounting for one of the knives in each trimming device whereby, when trimming is not required, one knife is moved radially and axially away from the other knife.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,911,774

US. Patent 0m. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,911,774

US. Patent Sheet 3 of 3 Oct. 14, 1975 0 1 a. a W Z V Z i /6'Z' .a 4;- f;

POWER 2 Y nv REVERSIBLE Moro 54 F55 POWERED ADJUSTABLE TRIIVIMER CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery and, more particularly, to such an apparatus including stationery driving and trimming apparatus. Representative prior art includes U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,039,345; 3,056,324; and

Increasing labor costs and other factors have resulted in a vast upsurge in the use of continuous business forms stationery assemblies wherein the form is comprised of long webs of superimposed plies of stationery with interleaved transfer material such as carbon sheets or spot carbon. Transverse lines of weakening define individual form lengths in the assembly.

In the use of such forms, after the desired information has been inscribed thereon, various automated operations are thereafter performed. One'typical such operation is that of deleaving wherein the various plies defining the form are Separated one from each other and the carbon transfer paper, if used, is separated from the various plies of stationery.

Another typical operation is that of bursting wherein the continuous business forms assembly is separated into individual form lengths along the aforementioned transverse lines of weakening.

A variety of the operations, including the inscription step prior to deleaving and bursting, depend for accuracy on the positive driving of the assembly through an apparatus, such as a printer, in such a way that registry between the various plies making up the assembly is maintained. Such positive driving and registration maintenance are frequently accomplished by providing the assembly with control punching along one or both longitudinal edges of the assembly as is well known. And, in many instances, it is highly desirable to remove the control punched margins at some point in the processing of the form. Thus, many deleavers and bursters in use today are provided with trimming apparatus for trimming the control punched margins from the form as it is being deleaved or burst.

Such trimming devices typically include means whereby the trimming devices may be rendered inoperative when forms are being processed where thetrimming of the control punched margin is either unnecessary or not desired. Such apparatus is generally along the lines illustrated in the above identified US. patents. Another typical apparatus is a so-called Bowe power trimmer wherein two trimming devices are mounted on opposite sides of a path of stationery travel through an apparatus such as a deleaver or a burster. Associated with both of the trimmers is a screw shaft having reverse helixes thereon which is responsive to an electrical sensing system which senses a program card and simultaneously adjusts both trimmers inwardly or outwardly of the path to adjust the same for forms of varying widths. This apparatus, however, is difficult to operate in terms of obtaining precise adjustment of the trimmers. For example, if the location of the trimmers as a result of automatic operation responsive to the program card is not precise, one trimmer or the other must be unlocked from the screw shaft and manually moved to a proper position. At the completion of the'processing operation, it must be returned to its original position in order that relatively proper positioning can be achieved for the next form to be processed.

Moreover, for all practical purposes, this apparatus requires that the form be exactly in the center of the infeed area, with the result that form contacting elements in the apparatus are subject to wear at their centers more than at their sides requiring more frequent replacement of parts than would be the case if the wear could be spread from one side of the apparatus to the other. The apparatus also requires the use of tools in making manual adjustments as mentioned previously and if the power source for the screw shaft fails, adjustment of the trimmers is virtually impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved continuous business form stationery assembly'including trimming devices. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide such an apparatus wherein the trimmers can be easily and reliably moved between operative and inoperative positions. An additional object is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the position of two trimmers on opposite sides of a stationery path can be independently varied in such a way as to maximize the efficiency of the setup operation in preparation for the processing of forms.

' An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects in an apparatus such as a burster or a deleaver which includes structure defining a path of stationery travel through the apparatus along with a means for driving the stationery through the apparatus along the path. The apparatus includes means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of trimming devices, one on each side of the path. Means are provided for mounting each of the trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other so that the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of the path may be selectively and-individually adjusted for different stationery widths. A pair of individually and selectively operable reversible motors, one for each trimming device, are provided for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of the path.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mounting means for the trimming devices includes an elongated, stationary shaft extending transversely of the stationery path, which shaft is provided with rack teeth therein. Each of the trimming devices includes a carriage slidably mounted on the shaft and each of the motors is mounted on and carried by an associated one of the carriages and includes a rotary output shaft having a gear thereon in engagement with the rack teeth. Through the use of independent operators for positioning the trimming devices, the forms may be processed, not only in the center of the stationery path, but at each side thereof as desired. Moreover, the individual operability of the drive systems for adjusting each trimmer eliminates the need for tools and fine manual adjustments that require resetting following a processing operation. Similarly, if one motor fails, setup can still be achieved through appropriate adjustment of the other trimmer.

The stationery driving means of the apparatus preferably includes a pair of tractor assemblies, one incorporated in each trimming device. Each trimming device further includes at least one trimming knife and each trimming device is provided with means for manually adjusting the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife so that the width of the margin to be trimmed may be easily adjusted.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, each trimming device includes a pair of rotary driven knives which are adapted to be in substantially peripheral contact with each other to define a cutting nip when margins are to be cut from forms being processed. The knives in each trimming device are mounted for relatively axial and radial movement so that the knives may be separated when margins are not to be trimmed.

In the preferred embodiment, one of the knives is joumalled for rotation in a relatively fixed position within a frame of the trimming device and the other knife is mounted in the frame for axial and radial movement relative to the first knife. This is accomplished by mounting the axially and radially movable knife on an eccentric element which is axially movable and rotatable relative to the trimmer frame through the provision of a means interconnecting the element and the frame for causing the element to move axially when it is rotated. Thus, the eccentricity of the element, when rotated, is operative to move one knife radially with respect to the other while the axial movement which the element undergoes also moves the knife axially relative to the other knife to separate the two.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a continuous business forms stationery assembly processing apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, elevational view of one tractor trimmer assembly made according to the invention, blades have been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the tractor trimmer assembly taken from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the drawings and with specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, is seen to include a base, generally designated 10, including a pair of upstanding side plates 12. The base 10 is adapted to be received in any suitable housing, the form of which will vary depending upon whether the processing apparatus is a deleaver, burster, etc.

As illustrated, the base 10 is intended for use with a deleaver and mounts a main drive motor 14 having a rotary output sheave 16 which may be connected by belts (not shown) to those parts of the apparatus requiring rotational power. Included in this category are shafts l8 and 20 which extend across and are journalled in the side plates 12.

In addition to the rotatable shafts l8 and 20, a guide shaft 22 extends between the side plates 12 as does a guide shaft 24. In the case of the latter, as will be seen, the same is provided with rack teeth on a surface thereof.

An infeed form guide 26 guides the continuous business forms stationery assembly to be processed into the apparatus. Just above the guide 26 is a rod 28 which extends between the plates 12 and on which margin guides 30 are rotatably and slidably mounted. The guides 30 are manually adjusted to embrace the margins of a form to be processed. The rod 28 also mounts a brush-like structure 32 which is adapted to engage the form as it enters the apparatus to tension the same. To this end, an adjustable locking knob 34 is provided whereby the angular position of the rod 28, and thus the brush 32, may be selectively adjusted and maintained to provide a desired frictional resistance to form passage.

On opposed sides of the apparatus are tractor trimmer devices, each generally designated 36. As will be seen hereinafter, elements of each of the tractor trimmer devices 36 and the guide 26 define a path of stationery travel through the apparatus, which path is illustrated in a dotted line designated P in FIG. 2. The tractor trimmer devices 36 are each associated with the shafts 18, 20, 22 and 24 for slidable movement thereon towards and away from each other so that their position with respect to an associated side of the path P of stationery travel may be selectively adjusted. Moreover, the arrangement is such that each device 36 may be moved independently of the other and each is provided with a reversible, electric motor 38 which may be selectively energized to effect such individual movement.

With the foregoing general organization in mind, the tractor trimmer units 36 will now be described in detail. However, since the right-hand unit 36 is but a mirror image of the left-hand unit 36, only the former will be specifically described.

Referring first to FIG. 3, each tractor trimmer unit 36 includes a carriage 40 formed of a casting or the like in the configuration illustrated. Secured to the carriage 40, in depending relation, is the reversible motor 38 which is provided with an internal reduction gear train 42 terminating in a rotary output shaft 44. As seen in FIG. 5, the shaft 44 mounts a spur gear 46 which is in mesh with teeth 48 formed on at least one side of the shaft 24. Since, as mentioned previously, each unit is slidably mounted on each of the shafts 18-24, it will be appreciated that energization of the motor 38 will slide the associated unit 36 along the four shafts, the direction of such movement being dependent upon the direction of energization of the motor 38. By reason of the presence of the internal reduction gear train 42, such movement will occur at a relatively slow speed so as to enable precision adjustment of the position of each unit 36 relative to the side of the path P of stationery travel.

Preferably, the motors 38 are independently controlled by a control system such as that illustrated in block form in FIG. 6. A source of power 50 is connected to each of the reversible motors 38 via actuating devices 52 and 54, there being one such device 52 and 54 for each of the motors 38. Preferably, the devices 52 and 54 comprise normally open, spring loaded switches which may be closed manually through the application of pressure and which will automatically return to an open condition upon the release of such pressure. Of course, each of the devices 52 and '54 is operable independently of the others and the arrangement is further such that the actuation of either'of the devices 52 will cause the associated one of the units 36 to move inwardly toward the center of the apparatus while corresponding actuation of the device 54 will cause the associated one of the units 36 to move outwardly toward the side plates 12 (FIG. 1). While not shown it may be desirable for motor protection, to provide an electrical or mechanical interlock between the devices 52 and 54 for each motor 38 so as to preclude simultaneous energization of both windings of an individual motor 38.

Near the uppennost end of the casting 40, a bushing 62, journals in idler relationship, a sprocket 64 for rotation concentrically about the shaft 18. At the end of the casting 40, opposite from the shaft 18, an opening 66 is provided through which the shaft passes. A sprocket 68 is mounted on the shaft 20 and secured to the casting 40 against axial movement relative thereto by any suitable means.

Trained about the sprockets 64 and 68 is a tractor chain 70 having pins 72 mounted to one side thereof, which pins may be received in the control punch openings in the control punch margins on one longitudinal edge of a continuous business forms assembly. The chain 70 is driven by rotation of the shaft 20. As seen in FIG. 5, the sprocket 68 carries a key 74 which extends into a longitudinal recess 76 in the shaft 20. Thus, the sprocket 68 is slidable with the unit 36 axially on the shaft 20 but is driven thereby to drive the chain 70.

The upper run of the chain 70 is directed along the path P of stationery travel between the sprockets 64 and 68.

With reference to FIG. 4, the bushing 62 is seen to include a central opening 80 through which a bushing 82 extends. The bushing 82 is joumalled in a casting 84 by means of bearings 86 and further includes an inwardly extending key 88 which is received in a longitudinal slot 90 in the shaft 18. It will be recalled that the shaft 18 is one of the driven shafts in the apparatus and, accordingly, when the same is rotated, the bushing 82 will rotate therewith.

One end of the bushing 82 mounts a disc-like cutting blade or knife 92 for rotation therewith. The knife 92 has a circular periphery and in substantial peripheral engagement therewith is a similar knife 94, the latter differing principally in the provision of a pointed edge 96. The knife 94 is mounted on one end of a bushing 98, the other end of which mounts a gear 100. The gear 100, when the knives 92 and 94 are in substantial peripheral engagement as illustrated in FIG. 4, will be meshed with a gear 102 secured to the bushing 82. As a result, when the shaft 18 is driven, the knives 92 and 94 will be driven in opposite directions so as to provide a cutting action at a cutting nip 104 at their point of contact.

The bushing 98 is joumalled in a sleeve bearing 106 which in turn is fixedly received within an eccentric bore 108 in a cylindrical element 110. That is, the center of the bore 108 and the construction of the bushing 106 is such that the axis of rotation of the knife 94 is spaced from the center of the cylindrical element 1 10. l

cylindrical element 1 10 may be rotated within the interior threaded bore 114 of the sleeve 116.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that when the handle'l 18 is manipulated so as to rotate the cylindrical element 110, because of the eccentric nature of the mounting of the bushing 98 within the cylindrical element 110, rotation of the latter will cause the knife 94 to move radially away from the knife 92. In addition, because the cylindrical element is received in threads within the bore 1 14, there will also be axial movement of the blade 94 away from the knife 92. As a result, by rotating the handle 118, the knives ,92 and 94 will undergo relative rotation between a'position such as that shown in FIG. 4 wherein they are in a cutting or operative position and a second position wherein no such operative relationship will be present. Specifically, and with reference to FIG. 4, in the inoperative position, the knife 94 will be shifted to the position shown in the dotted lines well spaced from the knife 92. V

For retentionpurposes, an arcute extension of the handle 118 may be provided with first and second detents 122 and 124 in the form of notches. A spring 126 may be secured to the casting 84 and arranged to lodge in notches 122 or 124. In a preferred embodiment, a spring 128 interconnecting the casting 84 and any suitable portion of the cylindrical element 1 10 for elements movable therewith may be provided to provide a spring bias towards the inoperative position.

The invention also includes means whereby the location of the cutting nip 104 relative to the tractor chain 70 may be adjusted as desired so as to vary the width of the margin to be trimmed. With reference to FIG. 5, a plate 140, secured by any suitable means to the carriage 40 includes an opening (not shown) through which a vertically directed shaft 142 extends to impale a knob 144. The lower end of the shaft 142 is journalled by an car 146 struck from a plate 148 and mounts a gear 150. The gear 150 in turn is in engagement with a gear 152 which is received on a partially threaded stub shaft 154 secured to the casting 40. The shaft 154 in addition to being threaded onits upper and lower surfaces, includes flat guide surfaces 156 which are embraced by arms 158 formed in the two legs 160 (only one of which is shown) of a U-shaped mounting bracket 162. The base 164 of the U-shaped mounting bracket is secured by any suitable means to the casting 84 and the gear 152 is located between the legs 160 of the bracket 162.

As a result of the foregoing construction, rotation of the knob 144 will ultimately rotate the gear 152 to cause the same to move along the threaded portions of the shaft 154. Since the gear 152 is confined by the legs 160, the bracket 162, and thus the casting 84, will move on the shafts l8 and 22, carrying the knives 92 and 94 therewith. Since the position of the carriage including the casting 40 will be fixed, assuming the motor 38 to be de-energized, such movement will result in a change of position between the tractor chains 70 and the cutting nip 104 to provide adjustment in the width of the margin being trimmed.

If desired, a spring may interconnect the components as illustrated to increase the friction in the assemblage including the gear 150, the gear 152, and the shaft 154 so that once the adjustment is manually made, it will be retained notwithstanding vibration of the apparatus during use.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an apparatus made according to the invention achieves the objects previously specified in terms of providing independent, powered adjustment of the position of the trimmers within the machine to enhance setup efficiency. Moreover, the same provides a simple but effective means whereby the trimmers may be disengaged when a particular form being processed does not require trimming.

We claim:

1. In a continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus, the combination comprising:

means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus;

means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and i means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of trimming devices, one on each side of said path, means mounting said trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other whereby the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of said path may be selectively and individually adjusted for different stationery widths, and a pair of individually and selectively operable, reversible motors, one for each trimming device, for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of said path, said mounting means including an elongated, stationary shaft extending transversely to said path, said shaft having rack teeth thereon, and each of said trimming devices includes a carriage slidably mounted on said shaft, and each of said motors is mounted on and carried by the associated carriage and includes a rotary output shaft having -a gear thereon in engagement with said rack teeth.

2. In a continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus, the combination comprising: means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus; means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of trimming devices, one on each side of said path, means mounting said trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other whereby the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of said path may be selectively and individually adjusted for different stationery widths, and a pair of individually and selectively operable, reversible motors, one for each trimming device, for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of said path; said driving means including a pair of tractor assemblies, one incorporated in each trimming device, each trimming device including a trimming knife and a pair of means, one for each trimming device, for manually adjusting the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife in the associated trimming device; each of said trimming devices including a carriage slidably mounted on said mounting means and housing the corresponding one of said trimming knives and said tractor assemblies; and said manual adjusting means comprising a structure on said carriage movable with respect to said carriage and mounting said trimming knife, means interconnecting said carriage and said structure, including a rotary shaft, for effecting relative movement between said carriage and said structure, said rotary shaft extending exteriorly of said carriage and said structure, and handle means mounted on said rotary shaft exterior of said carriage and said housing whereby said shaft may be selectively rotated to effect adjustment of the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife.

Disclaimer 3,911,774.-Lew1's F1 Jennings, McHenry, and Kenneth W. Bower, Des Plaines, Ill.

POWERED ADJUSTABLE TRIMMER CONSTRUCTION. Patent dated Oct. 14, 1975. Disclaimer filed July 16, 1981, by the assignee,

Uarco Inc. I T

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 1 of said patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette Sept. 15, 1981.] 

1. In a continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus, the combination comprising: means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus; means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of trimming devices, one on each side of said path, means mounting said trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other whereby the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of said path may be selectively and individually adjusted for different stationery widths, and a pair of individually and selectively operable, reversible motors, one for each trimming device, for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of said path, said mounting means including an elongated, stationary shaft extending transversely to said path, said shaft having rack teeth thereon, and each of said trimming devices includes a carriage slidably mounted on said shaft, and each of said motors is mounted on and carried by the associated carriage and includes a rotary output shaft having a gear thereon in engagement with said rack teeth.
 2. In a continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus, the combination comprising: means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus; means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of Trimming devices, one on each side of said path, means mounting said trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other whereby the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of said path may be selectively and individually adjusted for different stationery widths, and a pair of individually and selectively operable, reversible motors, one for each trimming device, for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of said path; said driving means including a pair of tractor assemblies, one incorporated in each trimming device, each trimming device including a trimming knife and a pair of means, one for each trimming device, for manually adjusting the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife in the associated trimming device; each of said trimming devices including a carriage slidably mounted on said mounting means and housing the corresponding one of said trimming knives and said tractor assemblies; and said manual adjusting means comprising a structure on said carriage movable with respect to said carriage and mounting said trimming knife, means interconnecting said carriage and said structure, including a rotary shaft, for effecting relative movement between said carriage and said structure, said rotary shaft extending exteriorly of said carriage and said structure, and handle means mounted on said rotary shaft exterior of said carriage and said housing whereby said shaft may be selectively rotated to effect adjustment of the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife. 